Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
Forbidden Cove Speakeasy Tiki bar Convoy District - Forbidden Cove, San Diego, CA

Forbidden Cove

4.5
4.5
84 Reviews
$30 and under
Speakeasy
7576 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 14 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Great for happy hour
  • Hot spot
Enter the Forbidden Cove by unlocking a hidden rum barrel door using your wooden idol key where an island Tiki inspired paradise serving handcrafted cocktails awaits you. Once inside, traverse the Infinity Mirror Bridge and be welcomed by the island's inhabitants to explore the mysteries, culinary pleasures and enchanted elixirs of the Forbidden Cove. Find this tropical escape by entering Kilowatt Brewing located in the Kearny Mesa and Convoy District neighborhoods and kindly asking for a Key to The Cove!

Reservations offer a 90-minute experience.

WALK-INS WELCOME - Reservations not available? We always set aside space to accommodate walk-ins, first come, first served. And before or after your experience at Forbidden Cove you're welcome to join us at Kilowatt Brewing for our award winning craft beers, hard seltzers, adult slushies, and a bite to eat!

Restaurants you may also like

View all

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Speakeasy, Hawaiian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
  • Hours of operation
    Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Neighborhood
    Kearny Mesa
  • Cross street
    On Clairemont Mesa Blvd. near Convoy St.
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 84 people are saying

Forbidden Cove reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Forbidden Cove offers a unique tiki speakeasy experience with "great ambiance and decorations." Guests rave about the "delicious drinks" and "friendly staff," particularly mentioning standout service from bartenders like Jacob. While some seating arrangements may feel awkward, the "fun atmosphere" and "excellent food" make it a worthwhile visit.
84 Reviews
  1. Lauren

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Forbidden Cove is such an awesome place! The drinks were fantastic, as was the service! We brought in a fairly large group and they were able to accommodate us efficiently and attentively. The decor and entrance is so fun! Definitely returning!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Michelle

    San Diego2 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 30, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I was at Forbidden Cove last night, and while the ambiance was perfect and the service was great, my experience was a bit mixed. The food was good overall, but the pulled pork sandwiches were on the dry side due to the lack of sauce. My biggest issue was with the seating arrangement. Despite having a reservation, my party was placed on a small bench instead of at a proper table. It felt cramped and awkward, making it difficult to enjoy our meal and conversation. Meanwhile, I noticed larger groups who walked in after us being seated more comfortably at tables. Because of this, we didn’t stay as long as we would have otherwise and ended up going somewhere else. While I appreciated the food and service, I’d think twice about returning unless they improve how they handle reservations and seating.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Chris

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 29, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great experience! Food and drinks were Tikirific!!!

    Is this helpful?

  4. Suzanne

    San Diego2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Really enjoyable! We had a heck of a time finding it - you have to enter a door to a place called "Kilowatt", and then ask the barkeep to give you a "tiki key". A few extra instructions on the website would be helpful. But the ambiance was great and the food and cocktails were excellent. We really liked the kahlua pork tacos. And the "Missionaries' Downfall" cocktail was the winner at our table!

    Is this helpful?

  5. OpenTable Diner

    San Diego1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great spot, drinks and service! Well worth the trip to check it out. I'd highly recommend this spot to others.

    Is this helpful?

  6. joy VIP

    San Diego4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The minute we entered, the staff were so friendly and made sure we were ready to have fun ... and we sure had a blast! Such a fun ambience, friendly staff, delicious food and drinks were amazing!!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Samantha

    San Diego4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 5
    The entrance is what made this fun, but the overall experience was less than... The waitress included a 20% gratuity even though we weren't a table of 6. Didn't give us a receipt so we could then split it between our friends separately. When we asked if she could make a drink, she said she only had new bartenders and could not ask them to make a simple drink (it had 3 ingredients, and they had the ingredients listed in other drink options). The other drinks were ok, but not great. The food.... The chicharrónes and chocolate mousse was the best, but the nachos and the poke tapas was horrible... NO FLAVOR in the poke whatsoever. We even ordered the "spicy" poke and there was nothing spicy about it, I couldn't even taste any flavor on it. The place is not worth the hype. The entrance to the bar was the best part since it was hidden and required a totem to open the door. Other than that, save your time and hit up a better speakeasy.

    Is this helpful?

  8. ShannonP

    Orange County3 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 21, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food and drink were amazing. Small bar but I would definitely go back

    Is this helpful?

  9. Lizeth

    San Diego1 review

    1.0

    Dined on March 15, 2025

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Really didn’t appreciate waiting for so long . Reservation should be respected. Didn’t get brought back until 9:30

    Is this helpful?

  10. Katie VIP

    Orange County16 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 15, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an amazing experience. Kelly was our server and she was so attentive and fun’ we can’t wait to go again’

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Forbidden Cove is rated 4.5 stars by 84 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. San Diego
  4. San Diego
  5. Kearny Mesa

Make a reservation


Booked 14 times today
Google Map for Forbidden Cove

7576 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, San Diego, CA 92111

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    On Clairemont Mesa Blvd. near Convoy St.
  • Neighborhood
    Kearny Mesa
  • Hours of operation
    Wed, Thu 5:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Speakeasy, Hawaiian, Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2025 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo